Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
RV Trip Planning Discussions

Go Back   iRV2 Forums > MOTORHOME FORUMS > Class A Motorhome Discussions
Click Here to Login
Join iRV2 Today

Mission Statement: Supporting thoughtful exchange of knowledge, values and experience among RV enthusiasts.
Reply
  This discussion is proudly sponsored by:
Please support our sponsors and let them know you heard about their products on iRV2
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 11-05-2021, 03:02 PM   #1
Junior Member
 
dl1035's Avatar
Commercial Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Posts: 28
How would you rate the quality of Tiffin and Newmar?

So how would you rate the quality of build and customer service of the two big names in the Class A world? Any experiences you care to share with us?

How about comparing them to one another? Do you have a favorite and if so, why?

Also, how about comparing them to the rest of the Class A manufacturers? Are they really a cut above the rest like so many say? If so, why?

I'm doing research on the Class A market and I would love to hear what you think.
__________________
Duane & Cheri
NRVIA Certified RV Inspector
RV Inspection & Care
dl1035 is offline   Reply With Quote
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!

iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!

You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!

Old 11-05-2021, 03:11 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,870
Quote:
Originally Posted by dl1035 View Post
So how would you rate the quality of build and customer service of the two big names in the Class A world? Any experiences you care to share with us?

How about comparing them to one another? Do you have a favorite and if so, why?

Also, how about comparing them to the rest of the Class A manufacturers? Are they really a cut above the rest like so many say? If so, why?

I'm doing research on the Class A market and I would love to hear what you think.

OK, who are the "Two big names in the Class A world"?????


No idea where this is going....................
__________________
Brett Wolfe
Ex: 2003 Alpine 38FDDS. Ex: 1997 Safari Sahara. Ex: 1993 Foretravel U240
wolfe10 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2021, 03:28 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Lake Havasu City, AZ & Plover, WI
Posts: 6,403
From my experience, they are both pretty close. We are more than pleased with our 2013 Allegro Bus. My son had a 2016 Mountain Aire that was great. The Newmar was quieter inside during a thunderstorm and also better insulated as the AC's ran less than our Tiffin on a 90 degree day parked in the sun. My son wanted the flat floor of the 2018 MA and traded. It was a mistake. Over 45 items to correct back at the factory three times in the first year. I don't think that was indicative of Newmar quality, but just a bad job on that coach. We have had very few minor issues in eight years and 80,000 miles. I have a great dealer 40 miles from our WI home. If we were to look for a new coach, I would include Newmar but the closest dealer is 300 miles away. Newmar promotes their Comfort Drive, however, my Bus on a Powerglide chassis is two fingers 90% of the time up. 500 mile days are the norm when we travel. Find the floor plan you like in either brand and you will be happy.
__________________
2006 Monaco Executive 44 Denali
2013 43 QGP Allegro Bus ( SOLD )
2013 Avalanche
Crasher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-05-2021, 04:04 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
groswald's Avatar
 
Tiffin Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 427
We’ve had out 2016 Tiffin for 13 months and 12,000 miles now. We love it. Overall quality is great, and miles and smiles above our previous Thor.

Newmar interiors and floor plans didn’t appeal to us, but I don’t think you’ll go wrong with either.

There has been some noise about recent quality issues with both. They seem to be true, but they are affecting pretty much all brands equally so Tiffin & Newmar are still at the top. Also, a lot of the current issues are component related (3rd party) and not in the manufacturers direct control. Component consolidation under Lippert and others, combined with massive labor issues in Elkhart are causing a precipitous drop in quality impacting everyone equally.

Regards,

Randy
__________________
2016 Tiffin Allegro Open Road 32SA
2017 Jeep Wrangler JKU
2014 Thor Axis 24.1 & 2012 Spyder on Aluma UT10
groswald is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 12:14 AM   #5
dp7
Senior Member
 
dp7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: So Cal
Posts: 649
Newmar quality seems to be better than some RVs -- but at a premium price. However, the RV industry quality bar is pretty low & Newmar has their share of quality issues also.

Examples:

Don't expect to leave with a full fresh water tank & arrive without loosing a lot of it out the overflow.

Don't expect to drive in the rain and arrive with dry basement compartments.

Don't expect that the slide motor bolts will remain tight without you modifying the as-built condition.
__________________
2017 Newmar Ventana 3709
2017 Jeep Wrangler (2 door) 2022 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk
dp7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 05:57 AM   #6
Senior Member
 
Teamfoxy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,698
From what my friends with new coaches have experienced, you are likely to have major issues with whatever brand you buy. We are keeping our 2011 Mirada as long as we can.
__________________
TeamFoxy ~ Traveling North America
2016 Newmar Canyon Star 3710
2017 Chevy Equinox in tow.
Teamfoxy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 06:29 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
boomersooner's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Augusta Georgia
Posts: 866
In 2019 we compared Tiffin and Newmar coaches. Spent several hours in each before deciding on a Tiffin Allegro RED 37BA. The Tiffin interior seemed "cleaner", came with a ceiling fan in the bedroom, a seat in the shower molded into the fiberglass, had a more usable 1/2 bath, had an option for a recliner where the same comparable Newmar model did not, and my wife just felt more comfortable in the Tiffin. I think we could have been satisfied either way but I gave her the final pick (I steered her to the ones I thought would be serve our needs after about 4 years of research).

Our Tiffin has had some minor problems, but we are thankful no major issues. After 23 months of ownership (we ordered a 2020, picked it up in December 2019) we are very happy and consider it our second home. Tiffin customer service has been outstanding, any issue that I have had has been addressed by Tiffin, even one that was out of warranty but they took care of it at no cost. The "after hours" vendors in Red Bay are an added bonus. We were there a few weeks ago, had appointments scheduled, and in two business days we accomplished everything. Red Bay is so good that there were Newmars, Entegras, and Winnabego's in town assuming to use the after hours vendors.

I am so satisfied with my Tiffin ownership experience that most likely when we are ready for a new coach in 8-10 years we will not look at anything else.
__________________
Bob (retired Army CW4) & Brenda (Veteran Army Nurse CPT)
2020 Tiffin Allegro Red 37BA
2020 Ford F150 XLT 4x4 Air Force 1 braking system
boomersooner is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 08:46 AM   #8
Senior Member
 
153stars's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Braidwood Il.
Posts: 8,300
Doesn't Newmar have Comfort Drive. I've heard some good things about that. Might tick a pro in Newmar column .
__________________
95 Monaco Crown Royale
M11 400hp, 4060 trans.
Aquahot, Generac Guardian7.5k
153stars is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 09:26 AM   #9
Senior Member
 
USMCRET's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 3,458
Perhaps we got a unicorn, but seven months and 5000 miles into ownership of our ‘21 Dutch Star, I’m really scrambling to come up with a reason to go back to Nappanee (or anywhere) for warranty work. There is simply nothing wrong with it that requires attention. We paid for factory pickup, and our tech did an awesome job of getting it ready for delivery.
__________________
2021 DSDP 4326 Freightliner
2023 Winnebago ERA 70A
2005 KSDP 3910 Spartan
USMCRET is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 09:59 AM   #10
"Formerly Diplomat Don"
 
Dutch Star Don's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Moorpark, Ca.
Posts: 23,931
It's only natural for people to prefer the one they bought over the competition. Obviously there was something(s) you liked better about what you bought. We looked at both for years. One would add a component like the side facades that cover the roof top A/C units and equipment and then a year later the other would add them. Tiffin came out with them first in this instance.

Our friends have a 2019 40' Allegro Bus. It has several features that I would like to have, including three A/C units (Newmar won't put three on a Dutch Star) and a larger generator for the third A/C. It has the Spyder system for controlling all the lighting and systems, something Newmar didn't add until later. They also made a 150 gallon fuel tank fit where mine only has 100 gallons. I like the quality of the Tiffin bay doors and front door (how they close) better than my Newmar.

With that said, we were looking for certain things. Most importantly, I wanted a tag axle and Newmar was the only company that offers one in a 40' model. Another huge consideration was there were no Tiffin dealers near us, but a Newmar dealer about a mile away. Once we owned the coach, we found several things I liked and didn't realize they would be important to me at time of purchase. The biggest thing was Comfort Drive, making driving the coach all day a joy. Some of the others, all tile flooring, no carpet on the slides, bathroom fire escape door, and the coach insulation. We can't hear it when it's raining or someone is making a racket outside. Our friends interior woodwork is beautiful, but no different than ours. In 2010 or 2011, we looked at new Newmars and though the interiors were butt ugly, but they completely changed around 2013 or so.

Lastly, I could almost make up a list with about the same number of items that I like on the Allegro Bus versus the Newmar and the other way around. When we bought our Dutch Star, Newmar was allowing more modifications to their production coaches than any other brand. We designed our own exterior colors from hundreds of colors that are available. We changed cabinet configurations and door designs. We also added electrical and deleted items we thought were useless to us. I believe now that Tiffin, is allowing more design changes.

So buy either one, just way the options that are more important to YOU, as the coaches are pretty similar.
__________________
Don & Mary
2019 Newmar Dutch Star 4018 (Freightliner)
2019 Ford Raptor
Dutch Star Don is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 10:38 AM   #11
Senior Member
 
BillJinOR's Avatar
 
Monaco Owners Club
Forest River Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 3,325
When we were looking a few years ago at both , and also entegra we found the construction much different. Newmar ( and entegra) use a hung wall. Studs glued batt insulation with glued on heavy fiberglass sides. Tiffin used a high pressure pressed “sandwich” walls and oddly no insulation in the front our rear caps. The tiffin construction floor was cluttered and messy and both Entegra and Newmar were much cleaner assembly floors with waste being swept and picked up. We decided not to trade up at the time but I liked the construction of the hung wall much better and it’s much quieter I’m told. We would have been happy either way probably. At the time we felt the Entegra ( not on your list ) was a better value. My DW and I had a preference on build as Newmar Entegra Tiffin , in that order.
__________________
2023 Coachmen Encore 325SS
BillJinOR is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 10:59 AM   #12
Senior Member
 
DGBPokes's Avatar
 
Newmar Owners Club
Workhorse Chassis Owner
Spartan Chassis
Join Date: May 2010
Location: McAlester Ok
Posts: 2,057
We are on our second Newmar. Our best friends have a Tiffin. Both are good coaches.

If I was trading today; Comfort Drive would be my personal #1 upgrade. It’s offered by Newmar.

We’ve had our older coach to the factory twice. Newmar still works on coaches older than 10 years, Tiffin does not.

Our friends take their coach to Red Bay (after hours shops) every year. It is in great condition.

I like the Newmar hung wall insulation in cold windy weather, better than the Tiffin.

Our coach is built on a Spartan chassis, their Tiffin is built by Tiffin. I like Spartan.

I favor Newmar, but if I found a really good deal on a cherry Tiffin, I would jump on it.
__________________
2007 Newmar KSDP. 3912
2010 Nissan Frontier SE
DGBPokes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-06-2021, 11:49 AM   #13
jrs
Senior Member
 
jrs's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Full Timers
Posts: 989
Quote:
Originally Posted by BillJinOR View Post
When we were looking a few years ago at both , and also entegra we found the construction much different. Newmar ( and entegra) use a hung wall. Studs glued batt insulation with glued on heavy fiberglass sides. Tiffin used a high pressure pressed “sandwich” walls and oddly no insulation in the front our rear caps. The tiffin construction floor was cluttered and messy and both Entegra and Newmar were much cleaner assembly floors with waste being swept and picked up. We decided not to trade up at the time but I liked the construction of the hung wall much better and it’s much quieter I’m told. We would have been happy either way probably. At the time we felt the Entegra ( not on your list ) was a better value. My DW and I had a preference on build as Newmar Entegra Tiffin , in that order.

2X on the hung wall/stud construction of the Newmar and Entegra DPs. When shopping, the only two companies who would post their insulation R values.
__________________
Joe & Ro
2020 Dutch Star 4328 w FL Chassis
2018 Jeep GC Limited w Ready Brute Elite towbar
jrs is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-07-2021, 08:32 AM   #14
Senior Member
 
tropical36's Avatar
 
American Coach Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SW Florida
Posts: 2,971
Quote:
Originally Posted by dl1035 View Post
So how would you rate the quality of build and customer service of the two big names in the Class A world? Any experiences you care to share with us?

How about comparing them to one another? Do you have a favorite and if so, why?

Also, how about comparing them to the rest of the Class A manufacturers? Are they really a cut above the rest like so many say? If so, why?

I'm doing research on the Class A market and I would love to hear what you think.
A lot depends on the year and model. Never rely on what you or someone else had last and for then picking something different with that company.
These manufactures and companies change hands at will and without warning, along with their CEO's, policies and quality of workmanship. Even the age old family owned Tiffen has now sold out to Thor and with a company that has most always had a poor reputation for quality. Thing is, they also own Jayco now, which is turn owns Entegra. Some will say that Entegra is now destined to go down the tubes along with what ever else Thor owns, but I'd like to think not and so they might have a diversified lineup.
They must be doing something right starting with Damon and for being able to take over so many other companies. Well, doing it right for making money and not necessarily right for top quality products.
They like others, give the public what they want the most of and it seems that what they mostly want in their coaches are large TV's with a fireplace under it and with most not being able to see much past that.
With all that said, I would probably go with a top of the line Newmar with a side radiator if the right floor plan were available.
__________________
07 Revolution LE 40E_1 1/2 Baths_Spartan MM Chassis_06 400HP C9 CAT_ Allison 3000
Dinghy_2010 Jeep Wrangler JKU ISLANDER
1998 36ft. National Tropi-Cal Chevy Model 6350 (SOLD)
tropical36 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
newmar, quality, tiffin



Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
How would you rate Lazy Days? Fogbelly iRV2.com General Discussion 12 03-12-2021 09:56 AM
Newmar Mountain Aire - is this a quality coach, quality company? Doug427 Class A Motorhome Discussions 80 01-09-2020 05:21 PM
You would think they would know RV Vagabond RV'ing Humor & Crazy but True Stories 9 11-13-2016 09:00 PM

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:48 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.